Jefferson County Extension is dedicated to providing free, unbiased, research-based education, ranging from agriculture to 4-H, health & living to urban stormwater, community well-being to nutrition and more. Our mission is to provide research-based information through non-formal education to help all Arkansans improve their economic well-being and the quality of their lives. Whether it is agriculture, 4-H, health and living, or community development, the Jefferson County Extension Office is at your service! Jefferson County 4-H Clubs
Annually, over 3,000 youth and adult volunteers in Jefferson County participate in 4-H programming in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Citizenship and Leadership; Healthy Living and Smart Nutrition for Active People (SNAP-Ed). Twenty county 4-H clubs meet monthly, each led by youth officers under the guidance of trained 4-H adult volunteers. Youth (and adults) can participate in 4-H by enrolling as a member or volunteer, attending a 4-H camp, through a school enrichment class or a special interest program. 4-H also offers lots of project area competitions and opportunities to attend conferences and out-of-county events. To enroll in Jefferson County 4-H, log on to https://arkansas.4honline.com. For more information, contact Pia Woods, County Extension Agent-4-H Youth/Family and Consumer Sciences at 870-534-1033. Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Clubs
Education: Through EHC you get the latest information on what’s new for your home and family in areas such as: Health and Wellness, Foods and Nutrition, Money Management, Child Care and Family Relationships, Leadership Development, and Special Community Projects. Leadership Development: EHC members develop leadership skills by participating in a variety of club, county, district and state events. Community Service Projects: Members participate in community service projects such as: Teaching Dolls, Cancer Caps, Caps for Children’s Hospital, Craft Workshops, and Holiday Foods Workshops. Join one of our clubs today. For more information, contact Mary Ann Kizer at 870-534-1033. Jefferson County Master Gardener Program
The Jefferson County Master Gardener Program is over 25 years old and has over 80 members. They are very active with activities including a Youth Demonstration Garden, Adopt-a-Spot decorative areas on major highway intersections, and the Annual Home and Garden Show at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. They also conduct regular training activities and assist Cooperative Extension in the overall horticulture education programs of the county. They provide several tons of fresh produce each year for deserving civic organizations and food banks as well as over 600 participating students from area schools as they learn to plant and harvest garden crops. For more information, contact Lee Anderson II at 870-534-1033. Urban Stormwater
Increasing awareness of how urban stormwater impacts urban and rural water systems is growing in Jefferson County. USW drain art is a way to bring visual awareness to USW issues. The murals provide a visual reminder to keep storm drains clean of debris and trash. Robert F. Morehead Middle School’s 8th grade art class painted four storm drains on the school campus. The designs were drawn on the storm drain covers then painted and protected with a coat of sealant to prevent damage from the weather. The students, staff and principal were educated about USW and the effects that every day activities can have on plant life and aquatic life in urban environments and down-stream in non-urban areas. To accomplish the USW drain project, a partnership was formed with Robert F. Morehead Middle School to do artistic paintings on storm drains located on their campus. For more information, contact Lee Anderson at 870-534-1033.
